Hawaii is famous for its distinctive quilt tradition in which a large stencil-like pattern is appliqued onto a base fabric of contrasting color to form the quilt top. Designs are inspired by the native flowers, leaves, marine life, or by symbols of Hawaiian royalty. Each island is associated with a particular blossom. I designed the Lokelani quilt after the Lokelani rose, the island flower of Maui.

Four methods of creation and construction of a quilt, when combined, give Hawaiian quilts its distinctive quality. Traditional quilts are designed with only two color fabric choices. The applique fabric is folded and cut in a “snowflake” method reminiscent of the paper snowflakes many of us remember from our schooldays. This fabric is then hand-appliqued onto a white, background fabric. The quilt sandwich is constructed using an echo or outline style of hand-quilting that follows the contour of the applied design. To me, the echoes resemble the rippling waves of the ocean surrounding their Hawaiian homeland or the rainbows that arch above the island sky.

Historically, Hawaiians made bedcovers from kapa, a tree bark that had been beaten, felted and dyed. Western missionaries introduced Hawaiians to American quilting methods and fabrics in the 1820s, resulting in the bold, symmetric botanical motifs of the Hawaiian quilting we know today. Hawaiian tradition teaches if quilters begin with the breadfruit pattern, they will lead a fruitful life, filled with wisdom and knowledge. And Hawaiian quilters were quick to recognize the making of a quilt, as Laney discovers in Aloha Rose, is itself a spiritual journey.

Like the Magi—Matthew 2:1-2 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

This Christmas, may you find in Him all you seek. He is The Way, The Truth, The Life.

The donut of choice in the Hawaiian islands—most recipes are family favorites, handed down from Portuguese ancestors who made Hawaii home.

Ingredients: Makes 1 dozen

1 package active dry yeast

1 teaspoon white sugar

1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees)

6 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup melted butter

1 cup water

1 cup evaporated milk

6 eggs

2 quarts vegetable oil for frying

Extra white sugar

Directions:

Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1/4 cup warm water; set aside.

In small bowl, beat eggs until fluffy.

Put flour and salt in large bowl, making a well in the center. Into the well add yeast mixture, eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, melted butter, milk, 1 cup water, and salt. Beat thoroughly to form a soft, smooth dough. Cover, let dough rise until doubled.

Protestant missionaries introduced the Christmas holiday to the Native Hawaiians with their arrival around 1820. Before the arrival of the missionaries, Native Hawaiians celebrated a festival named Makahiki which lasted four months and in which all wars were forbidden. The season contained the essence of “peace and goodwill to all men”.

The first recorded Christmas in Hawaii was in 1786, when the captain of the Queen Charlotte, was docked at Kauai. Captain Dixon and his crew celebrated a large Christmas dinner which included a whole roast pig.

Christmas traditions are similar to other places in the United States—a large meal is eaten and then, as the beach is often nearby, surfing or swimming takes place after the meal, Families break out the guitars and ukuleles, and hula dances are performed. Instead of fir and cedar, Hawaiian Christmas wreaths are often made of poinsettia.

The traditional Santa’s sleigh and reindeer are replaced by an outrigger canoe pulled by dolphins. The different cultures and ethnic groups that have settled in the islands celebrate the Christmas traditions of Hawaii in their own unique ways, which may be religious or secular. Santa Claus—known as Kanakaloka—has shed his fluffy red, white fur-trimmed suit for more suitable aloha-style fashion.